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Why Sunlight is Good for You

I was out back, getting some sun, remembering a few reasons why sunlight is good for you. I decided to learn more about how it benefits us, and also how it can hurt us.

It is good to be cautious when it comes to how much sun you are exposed to. After all, toomuch sunlight can put you at higher risk for skin cancer and cataracts. And it can make your skin wrinkle and age way too early in life. But does being cautious mean that you should avoid the sun altogether?

No! Sunlight happens to be one of the greatest healing remedies that you can find in nature. The sun provides the energy that all living things need in order to exist on this earth. When you take it in moderation, there are lots of health benefits of sunshine.

Physical Health – If you do not get enough sunlight, your body may not make enough vitamin D. Having a vitamin D deficiency may put you at increased risk for bone diseases such as osteoporosis. Low vitamin D levels can also cause weak hearts, poor metabolism, and slow healing of bones and cuts. An average of 10 minutes of sunlight per day all year round will make sure that you reap the benefits of sunlight and make enough vitamin D. Remember that artificial light can never substitute for the real thing, and be aware that UV light does not produce vitamin D through glass.

But if you’re not careful, the sun can hurt you, too. In the summertime try to avoid being out in the direct sunlight between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm. The summer sun is intense between those times. If you need to stay out longer than 10 minutes use a natural, chemical-free sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.

Mental Health – Feeling down? One of the major benefits of sunlight is that it will soothe your nerves and boost your mood leaving you with a renewed sense of well-being. Sunlight increases the production of endorphins and serotonin in your brain which will definitely leave you feeling much better.

Lack of sunlight can worsen feelings of depression in some people.

Dietary Health – If you eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, you will be getting lots of nutrients, antioxidants, and other plant substances that will help prevent the formation of free radicals. This has a protective effect. Fresh, plant foods are very important in helping your body be able to handle exposure to sunlight. Antioxidants protect your skin from burning too quickly. They also prevent premature aging.

Diets that are high in protein, animal fats, junk foods, soft drinks, vegetable oils, hydrogenated oils, animal and vegetable shortenings, and dairy products are associated with an increased risk of skin cancer. Eating a high fat diet and spending lots of time in the sun is a bad combination. Unhealthy oils are not just in food. You can also find them in skin care products such as suntan oils and skin lotions.

The ultraviolet rays of the sun react with the fats in your body, and free radicals form. They damage your cells and can lead to cancer.

Home Health – Sunlight is an effective germ killer. You can clean and freshen up your blankets, quilts, and other items by hanging them out in the sunshine. Sunlight can also prevent the rooms in your house from becoming damp and moldy. All you have to do is expose them to fresh air and sunlight on a regular basis.

If you are worried about fading furniture and pictures, try rearranging your room so that your valuable items are out of the path of direct sunlight.